If the Zodiac Killer was responsible for the Kathleen Johns abduction on March 22nd 1970, then where had he been and where was he going to at around 11:15 pm? If he was heading back to the Bay Area when he picked up Kathleen Johns trail, had he finished working late that night and the attack on the young woman was simply an opportunistic abduction? It certainly makes little sense that the Zodiac Killer would make a round trip of 140 miles from somewhere like Vallejo, just to abduct a woman on a lonely stetch of highway. In the Robert Graysmith book, Kathleen Johns route that night was as follows:"She had made her way up dusty Interstate 5 and onto Highway 99 just before Bakersfield, through Fresno, Merced and Modesto, where she swung left onto Highway 132, a rarely used road. In her rear view mirror she noticed a car she seemed to have picked up on her tail in Modesto. It was near midnight whe Kathleen slowed to let the car pass her. Abruptly, the driver behind began to blink his lights and honk his horn. When Kathleen ignored this, the stranger accelerated and pulled into the lane alongside her 1957 Chevrolet station wagon. He yelled through his open side passenger window that her left rear wheel was wobbling. "But I didn't stop, because it was dangerous out there. I waited until I got to the freeway, then I stopped by 5''. If this was an opportunistic attack by the Zodiac Killer, where had he come from? Kathleen Johns could have picked up this tail anywhere along Highway 132, so we should examine the location in and around Modesto more closely. Below is a map showing the route taken by Kathleen Johns.

You will notice on the map above I have added two notable military bases that are pertinent to Highway 132. Somebody leaving NASA Crows Landing and heading to the Bay Area, would enter Interstate 5, travel 23 miles and join Highway 132, just 0.8 miles before the location of where Kathleen Johns pulled over her vehicle. This location was marginally east of Bird Road.Somebody leaving Castle Air Force Base would also have joined Highway 99 (just like Kathleen Johns) and headed 34 miles to Modesto and then took Highway 132. Bearing in mind Kathleen Johns described her abductor as a "clean shaven and very neatly dressed man, thinking he may have been a service man or something", the possibility he had left one of these military airfields in his wing walker boots or some other military footwear, is certainly worthy of considerarion. When he had convinced Kathleen to take a ride with him, she noted that the "stranger's shoes had been shined so brightly, 'spit-shined' that they reflected the yellow interior lights of the car". The most direct route from both of these military airfields drops right onto Highway 132 and the route that Kathleen Johns noticed she had picked up a tail that night. The map below shows the position where Kathleen Johns vehicle was discovered burnt out, and the exact location where somebody traveling from NASA Crows Landing would have picked up Highway 132.

Crow’s Landing is an auxiliary field that served Alameda Naval Air Station and NASA Ames Research Center / Moffett Field. It opened in 1942. From the 1960s to the 1990s NASA used it to conduct flight tests on experimental aircraft. The Navy also used its runways to simulate carrier landings, installing portable “Meatball” lights and arrestor cables. link. Howard Gillins recalled, “I was at Crows Landing from 5/68 to 6/70. I was assigned to the Crash Fire Rescue Dept under civilian Fire Chief Walt Latham. We had 1 SAR helo assigned at Crows Landing: an H-34 & later an H-2. We had at that time 50 enlisted (5 CPO including LCPO) 1 OIC (Lcdr) & 5 civilians. We built & occupied the Club / Rec Center / Ship Store. We provided daytime touch & go practices for the military aircraft & at night carrier landing practices. We supported the LSO, hot refueling & minor maintenance & repairs". link.

Castle Air Force Base (1941–1995) is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced and about 115 miles south of Sacramento, California. The base, located in unincorporated Merced County, was closed in 1995 pursuant to a Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision following the end of the Cold War and the disestablishment of Strategic Air Command. It is now known as the Castle Airport Aviation and Development Center. From April 1968 to April 1974, the 93rd operated a special B-52 replacement training unit to support SAC's B-52 operation in Southeast Asia. Also, the 328th and 329th Bomb Squadrons deployed to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand where they flew combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos during the Vietnam War. link.

Crows Landing was an auxiliary airfield connected to Alameda Naval Air Station and Moffett Federal Airfield in Santa Clara County, both in the Bay Area where we know the Zodiac Killer operated. Did these military bases play any part in the Zodiac Killer's chosen profession, being contracted to work between the Patterson area, just south of Modesto, and the eastern fringe of San Francisco? This area of work would certainly facilitate his mailing of letters without too much deviation.

Military Patch

Just one month after the abduction of Kathleen Johns, the Zodiac Killer mailed the April 20th 1970 '13 Symbol' cipher, in which one of the characters resembled a circled 8. Some have considered it could represent an 8-ball or eightball, bearing in mind the July 26th 1970 'Litte List' letter - in which Zodiac promised to place Kathleen Johns top of. In the 'Little List' letter, he quoted from The Mikado, that"all billiard players I shall have them play in a darkened dungeon cell with crooked cues and twisted shoes. Yes, I shall have great fun inflicting the most delicious of pain to my slaves". Two days prior to the 'Litle List' letter he addressed Kathleen Johns, stating "So now I have a little list, starting with that woeman + her baby that I gave a rather intersting ride for a coupple howers one evening a few months back that ended in my burning her car where I found them". The above makes the connection to the military even more interesting, when we consider the design of the NASA Crows Landing military patch, and the 'circled 8' letter that followed the abduction of Kathleen Johns on March 22nd 1970.

Why is Zodiac driving hundred miles to abduct someone? Good question and very good answeres you gave.
Some remarks.
If he would work for the Airforce, as a mechanic e.g., and would have to commute between two airbases he probably would use a service vehicle and not his private car which the abductor used (because of the kids clothes and the sporty console).
It was a Sunday evening. Maybe he was on his way back from a private weekend trip to Modesto or southern California where his parents or (ex) wife live. During the ride he had enough time to think about a trick to abduct a person without using any force.....

Reply

Richard

8/6/2019 01:52:14 pm

Absolutely it's possible he was just driving home from friends or relatives Michael and could very well be the case. What I was attempting to do was approach the article from a military standpoint, for those who believe Zodiac may have been connected to the Army or Navy. The 'spit and shine' footwear, traits of a serviceman, with two military airfields that feed onto Highway 132 behind Johns, in the direction she was traveling. It was just framed to explore this one particular angle, although I accept he could have come from anywhere. But if I had written an unfocused article hypothesizing that Zodiac came from work, relatives, a friend's, a day in the park, a motor show, a day hunting, fishing, hiking, or any other of the thousand options, it effectively wouldn't have served any purpose. Next time I may do the ex-wife (probably should rephrase that).

He may have commuted between the two airbases, but also between both airbases and home, using his own vehicle. He could have been employed part-time. "An auxiliary force is an organized group supplementing but not directly incorporated in a regular military or police entity. It may comprise either civilian volunteers undertaking support functions or additional personnel directly performing military or police duties, usually on a part-time basis. Historically the designation "auxiliary" has also been given to foreign or allied troops in the service of a nation at war. In the context of colonial armies locally recruited irregulars were often described as auxiliaries."

But yes Michael, I accept it's a long shot. It's just a shame we can't get access to personnel records for these two bases, just to satisfy any curiosity. Cheers, Rich.

Reply

Michael

8/6/2019 02:25:31 pm

I wonder if the biennial March Field Airfest at the March Air Force Base Riverside already existed in 1970. If yes it could have taken place at a weekend in March as it is nowadays (according Wikipedia). Maybe he visited the airshow in Riverside and was on way back home.
And yes, I think he has a technical background. The bomb mechanisms/concepts he is depicting in his letters are strongly suggesting it.

Richard

8/6/2019 02:34:06 pm

Certainly worth looking into Michael. I shall take a look.
This was an interesting couple of Zodiac FBI files Michael, both pertaining to Patterson, and possibly NASA Crows Landing.

So you suggst that West is also the blacked out surname in the FBI File on the Kathleen Jons case you linked first ? Or do I mix up anything?

The files may refer to the same name/person. But one should keep in mind that hundreds of suspects were checked by LE and more than one should have a four letter surname

Reply

Richard

8/6/2019 04:20:31 pm

It's a consideration Michael, but as you point out, innumerable suspects were routinely fingerprinted, so a four letter second name is nothing unusual. The first file linked was interesting through San Francisco, Patterson and Riverside, but this wouldn't be exclusive to one person or Zodiac. I actually don't believe Zodiac was in the military but every angle is worth a look. Finding a connection to why Zodiac (if he abducted Johns) was on that route that night would be the holy grail. We know Joe Stine worked in Modesto near the edge of Highway 132. Was Zodiac on a reconnaissance mission after Joe challenged Zodiac to come after him? Probably unlikely, but there are interesting Modesto connections. It's a tough challenge Michael after 50 years, but I'm convinced were all missing something.

Reply

Roger

8/6/2019 06:05:01 pm

Or he was just out "cruising" in his automobile?

"It's a bachelor's life for me, tit-willow, tit-willow, tit-willow."

Reply

J D

8/6/2019 10:59:19 pm

The March AFB held the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air show March 28, 1970 as part of Riverside's Centennial Celebration. It was announced as early as March 12, 1970, if not earlier.

Reply

Tom1

8/7/2019 06:00:22 am

Random musing on this episode. Did she have her car torched as a way to scam her insurance company? Not unusual back in the day.

Reply

Richard

8/7/2019 06:48:56 am

Howard Davis: "The late Kathleen Johns told me that Jennifer(I was able to meet her later in the same day)was a 'crying baby',but for some reason, she didn't cry during the some two "howers" abduction.She thought about this as we were talking and I saw she had tears in her eyes and then she said 'Someone up above must have been watching over us that night.'
She felt that the driver would have attempted to kill her if there would have been any sudden moves or screams on her part,so she well knew how important a silent Jennifer was that night!
Any thought of insurance fraud is. She and her husband had no insurance as they could not afford it.All of her childs things were in the car,including personal items belonging to her.
As she said,it would have been a lot easier to just have set fire to the car in the San Bernedino area where she lived if she wanted insurance money.The car 'wasn't worth anything' in her view anyway!"

http://www.zodiackiller.com/mba/opzv/203.html

Reply

Sigmund

8/10/2019 09:14:30 pm

Babies cry sometimes, other times they don't. That's just babies. They don't come with switches unfortunately.

You're right, her car was worth like $5.

Shawn

8/7/2019 08:15:07 am

I just found out about a new Zodiac book called "Zodiac: The Killer Cop"

Evidently deceased ex Solano Cop named Russ Butterbach is named as the Killer Cop. FWIW

Another complete waste of money Shawn. I think every cop has been snapped up as the Zodiac Killer, apart from Pierre Bidou. I should write a book about him before somebody else does. Why anybody buys this drivel I will never know. It probably makes Thomas Horan sound sensible by comparison.

Even investigating police admitted,that the wheels could have fallen off,at any time,regardless of what this ''apparent'' abductor ''did'' or didn't do,to the wheel nuts.

The cops should have arrested Kathleen's husband,for knowingly endangering lives.

Reply

Tom1

8/7/2019 07:47:43 pm

I only mentioned the insurance angle because of all the criticism of the victim in this matter. If her story is full of contradiction what is the explanation? Being scared to death is reason enough for me.

I think in reading what is available,Tom 1,that there is no doubt that Kathleen Johns had an ''upsetting'' experience.

But,however many times ones goes through what apparently happened,there will always be aspects that don't entirely seem believeable [?].And,that it appears obvious that the invesrigating police,were not entirely convinced of Ms.John's account,either.

And yet,historically,Ms.Johns is documented as an official Zodiac victim.A supposed encounter with him,which ''supposedly'' led to her abduction.

My personal ''take'' is that Ms.Johns was involved with another man,who like her,was a parent of a young child.A ''rendez-vous'' went awry,and her lover came up with an unbelieveable plan,on the spur of the moment.

Senior LE decided to believe the story of Ms.Johns,since they saw it as an opportunity to entice the Zodiac back into corresponding again.

Whatever anyone's opinion on this aspect,to the case,it seems most unlikely that,on reportage alone,of what is supposed to have happened,this ''abduction incident'' would never go to court.

One of a number of accounts that has filtered through,over the years,is,that a couple picked Kathleen up,wandering about...and then dropped her off,at the local police station.

It would be an undocumented time,before the police realized,through lack of information from Ms.Johns,that her baby was missing.

At that point,everything was suspended,with all resources focused on finding the baby....thankfuly,all in one piece,found in a ditch,in a short time.

Why did Ms.Johns not turn up at the police station,crying,''My baby,my baby ! '' [?].Why didn't the couple who found Ms.Johns ''not'' help her to find her baby,first [?].Did this ''couple'' actually exist [?].

The police,one could imagine,were a bit surprised that Ms.John's maternal instincts had not kicked in...despite her apparent upset.

And,that the possible ''reality'' of Ms.Johns actually electing to place her baby,in a ditch,before coming to the police...hardly endeared sympathy or accepting ''credulity'' from the police...just to start with.

Reply

Roger

8/8/2019 04:18:04 am

I have very few doubts that the Zodiac picked up Kathleen and took her for a ride. She would have been scared out of her mind.

Reply

Mo

8/8/2019 10:32:30 am

I don’t mean to imply anything, but Joe Stine (Paul Stine’s brother) worked at a gas station very close to Highway 132 in Modesto, where the Kathleen Johns episode unfolded. The Stines’ also had a sister, who lived in Vallejo. Therefore, a Vallejo/Modesto/San Francisco connection to Z is not out of the realm of possibility. Actually, Paul Stine WAS connected to all 3 places, even if it might have had nothing to do with his death.

Again, not implying anything, but not also not discounting the possibility that some scattered dots are connected in some way.

Interesting, but I am sure a lot of people in California had some connection to all or at least some of the Zodiac locations and they were not the Zodiac nor one of his victims.

Tom1

8/8/2019 03:35:52 pm

Just wondering if Mr Z. was often on the prowl for potential victims. Cruising around the Bay Area would provide him innumerable opportunity to commit mayhem. Most of these efforts did not lead directly to a crime but how many were in his sights? Random life events would have placed untold numbers in his path. I myself had a possible Zodiac encounter and I have often wondered how many others may have also.

Reply

Richard

8/8/2019 03:57:17 pm

Yes, he probably failed many times prior to his eventual attacks, likely cruising between LHR and BRS on the prowl. The first two attacks could easily have been committed in reverse, had victims been available at the right time. Berryessa may have been the perfect example, and had he been the man prowling the hillside by the 3 women and succeeded in an attack, Cecelia Shepard would likely be alive today. It would have been interesting if police had appealed for strange sightings or happenings in the weekends prior to September 27th.

Reply

Tom1

8/10/2019 07:05:17 am

I am 100% convinced that Mr. Z became familiar with LHR and BRS and even Lake Berryessa through his work and recreational activities. As a result he could cruise and frequent these areas without ever drawing any attention to himself. I am also certain that he continued his cruising and victim hunting after the known attacks. It seems likely that if he lived in a traditional family situation a relative would have noticed some evidence of suspicious behaviour. I am just doing a little amateur profiling here. Some combination of geographical and behavioural profiling could possibly lead to some meaningful results. It seems to me that most of the professional profiling efforts are simply an academic exercise that rarely if ever lead to the apprehension of a criminal.

Roger

8/8/2019 04:29:02 pm

Yes, I think he liked to cruise about in his spare time and on weekends, day or night.

This would be good to hear,Tom 1 [...sincerely..],and I presume,Richard,that you would be happy to give Tom the floor,on this encounter [?].

In return,I promise to tell my favourite ''hired car'' story about the Zodiac that I believe that I know.It just gives an insight,perhaps,on what psychopaths are capable of,in a more ''day to day'' setting.

Looking forward,already.

Reply

Tom1

8/9/2019 06:18:45 am

In the summer of 1970 the movie, Patton debuted. My girlfriend and I attended a performance of this movie in San Francisco shortly after it opened. I have tried without avail to research which movie house we attended. On our return to my parents house in San Carlos we stopped at the Chrystal Springs Golf Course in Hillsborough. Soon thereafter a person approached my car and stated that he was a on private patrol and asked us to leave. We then departed without further incident. For some reason I have thought about this encounter several times since. On 14Nov17 I was in the hospital recovering from hip surgery and the Zodiac TV special was shown for the first time. I googled up Zodiac and Chrystal Springs and guess what? Randall Clemons Enigma site was displayed. There was in fact an unsolved murder of a young girl whose body was found on the golf course years earlier. Her name was Susan Nason. As a side note, Hillsborough was the home of Patty Hearst and her family at that time. I proceeded to read everything I could find on Randall's site and have been studying this case everyday since. I have given careful consideration to the idea that Mr. Z was involved in security patrols which were common place in upscale neighborhoods in Nor Cal at that time. The person who confronted us was probably not our friend but it is very intriguing to consider how many times an evil person crosses the path of untold numbers of potential victims on a regular basis. What are the chances that Mr. Z followed us from that movie theatre that night? We fit the bill as just another unsuspecting young couple out for the evening.

Richard

8/10/2019 10:56:25 am

What is your and Rubislaw's take on the Delphi murders - local or not? I always found it odd that if the girls were filming the man only because he looked odd or creepy, then why wouldn't they just vacate the area sharpish? If you are a young teenage girl, then filming a strange man rather than avoiding him, appears to fly in the face of reason. So, did they know him, or had seen him before without incident?

Sigmund

8/10/2019 09:21:22 pm

Richard, I know you didn't ask me for my opinion but here it is anyway. :-)

Let us consider for a second that if girls of the era were all too afraid to hang around where there are creepy and strange men, how do you explain the fact Manson managed to attract such a large number of them?

Sigmund

8/12/2019 03:17:38 pm

Apologies Richard, you presented a bit of a curve ball with that one. Now here is what I think after ruminating on it for a bit longer. The Delphi murders were strange, I will grant you that. Yes, why didn't they just run away as the guy approached? He obviously had an unusual gait, which could be suggestive of some kind of physical ailment or disability. I can only pose a few possible scenarios. This part of Indiana is "small town America" surrounded by mostly farmland and woods. As most of the town people have said, it is generally a quiet area where nothing happens and it is a safe place to bring up children. Most kids are taught about "stranger danger" in this day and age. Still, this was a very remote area and the kids had been walking for a long time to get to that location.

A few scenarios. The guy pretended to be suffering from a health complaint or he told the kids his wife had just fallen and broken her ankle down in the woods and he needed help. So he suggests a shortcut down the hill to get back to civilization. He may have told them there is a road and a farmhouse just beyond the trees. Question - Was their cell phone "out of range" at that location? He may have told them to go down the hill and beyond the trees to get phone reception.

Why did they not run away? Well this is an interesting question. I can only relate something from my own experience. I did a lot of hiking into remote places on my own up until about 10 years ago. When a person has been walking for hours without seeing any signs of civilization, it is amazing how refreshing it can be to actually meet another human being. Instead of creating anxiety, an encounter with another person can be both calming and invigorating. It is not unusual for the two people to stop and exchange pleasantries and talk about their adventures on the trail. One time I was on a treacherous path in a national park and came across two young schoolgirls. I admit my appearance is fairly average and I'm not regarded as "creepy", but the girls showed no fear at all. I asked them why they were not in school and they just laughed and replied they were skipping school. I told them they should not do that and told them to be careful on the slippery and jagged rocks and should go straight home. They told me their boyfriend was picking them up on the road about 5 miles away. At that point we went our separate ways. I am sure they got home safely, but it was very concerning to find two youngsters on such a treacherous trail in the middle of nowhere. Kids often think they are invulnerable.

Thanks for your transparency Tom 1.I realize now that you had referred to it,in part,before....but good to hear it all.

It obviously has left an impact on you [?]....not least the link to little Susan Nason.

I see that the Zodiac contributor,'' Ophion 1031 '',did some research on the Nason case.In 1990,ex-firefighter George Franklin was found guilty of the rape and murder of Susan Nayson,based on the testamony of his daughter,Eilleen,who was also a childhood friend of Susan.

Just three years ago [2016],the guilty verdict was overturned,and Franklin was awaiting a decision on release or a re-trial.

Does anyone know how that legal decision played out [?].It did,at the time,bring the psychologists out,in debate,over the childhood recall abilities.

Just wanted to add that to-day is the 50th anniversary of the Tate murders.

Your reference to Hillsborough,Tom 1,got me thinking again about ''related'' issues....possibly,more like ''near misses'',though there may be joins....

In the seminal album,''Forever Changes'' by ''Love'',there is a song called ''Between Clarke and Hilldale''....two streets on Sunset Blvd.,Los Angeles....where a great music scene developed,circa 1967.I had noticed that artwork,associated with the band ''Love'',appeared with ''Helter Skelter'' and other messages,at the Tate murder scene.

But Hillsborough and Hillsdale are both outskirts towns,around San Mateo.The Hearst family,in the wake of Patricia's kidnapping,for security purposes,all had to ''encamp'' at father,Randolph's Hillsborough mansion...for the first few months,anyway.

And,on another ''near miss'' or coincidence,''Hillsboro'',Texas,may end up,with a ''Zodiac'' link....it remains to be seen.

But yes...50 years ago,today,the term ''peace and love'' associated with the ''swinging sixties''...came to an earth-shattering halt,with the cynical slayings of some members of the L.A. celebrity set.

The story promised...and perhaps,''unremarkable'' to some.I will refer to ''him'',as ''Z''.

''Z'' had always desired to find an outlet for his motorcar enthusiasm.This,he was able to eventually fulfill,in the motorsport of Rallying.Expensively souped up road cars,that still have to comply with regular ''roadworthiness''.The sport is sometimes known as ''Formula 2'' with affiliations to world governing motorsport organizations.

''Z''enters a ''national'' championships,with a season of official Rallys.

A Rally beckons,and he.his mechanic and navigator,are busily trying to have his car ready for a Rally.But too much damage from the previous Rally....and they find that they are fighting a losing battle.

What does ''Z'' do ?

Well,he went to car hire firm,and hired a similar road car...then got his mechanic to soup it up,and impersonate his registered Rally car.Then entered the car,which passed pre-race inspection.

Then,took part in the Rally.

What ''Z'' had'nt banked on was,that the car hire firm's manager was a keen Rally fan....and recognized one of his cars,taking part.''Z'' was informed that he would be hearing from the manager's lawyers.

After the Rally,''Z'' got his mechanic to '' de-soup '' the car,then handed it back to the car hire firm.

All that happened was,that ''Z'' received a letter from the manager,informing ''Z'' that his firm had blacklisted ''Z'' from hiring a car from them,again.And,the Rally Championship's governing body,were none the wiser.

''Z'' wanted something....and assessed a ''worse case'' scenario.If he had been sued,the car hire firm would have courted an unwelcome mention,in the local newspapers,and become the object of derision.

''Both Morf and T.Voigt have a connection to someone at VPD.If either of them say they were told VPD is running a test,then I believe you can take that as the truth.''

What is it,precisely,about Det.Poyser misleading the public,over ''two envelopes and a secret lab.'',that others don't,or choose not to get ?

The Vallejo Police have had no meaningful,nor significant role to play,in the whole Zodiac case,since 1973 [!],when it was they,as a police force,who were adjudged to have been responsible for having messed up,on a surveillance operation,carried out on William Grant.Thus causing Grant to seek and secure a court injunction,against law enforcement,as a whole.

Since July 1969,the FBI have had complete jurisdiction,in Zodiac documents,Zodiac ciphers.....and ALL forensics,pertaining to the case.

If there was any ''farming out'' of work,by the FBI,the Vallejo Police would be,the very last agency with which to seek assistance.Not least,because of the VPD's ''precarious'' legal standing,on the case of the Zodiac.

For a few at least,it would seem that the land of fantasy,is still a comfortable place to be [?].

For the ''sometime'' observers...it only requires a turn back in time,of 15 months,to understand the swift ''climbdown'' on Det.Poyser's misinformation of May 2nd 2018,as reported by the Sacramento Bee.

Just six days later,the Benicia Herald,on May 8th 2018,were quoting Det.Poyser,thus :

''Currently,we are not close to identifying a suspect,nor do we anticipate developing that information,at any time,in the future.''

The real question ought to be : Who smacked Det.Poyser's bottom,between May 2nd and May 8th ?

Conspicuous,by their absence perhaps,in this ambiguous debacle of a message,that should have been clear to the public,from the outset,was a newspaper,close at hand,that appears to have been reluctant to touch the story,or Det.Poyser....with a barge pole :